Hat cleaning and drying mechanism



FIPszol 0R 1,843,126 em Gom Feb. 2, 1932. H. GEocAREs 1,843,126

HAT CLEANING AND DRYING MECHNISM Filed May 17, 1929 ImferT/ faim una! UHHOO `Farmen' Feb. z, 1932*" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY GEOCARES,F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS HAT CLEANING AND DRYING MECHANISM Application ledMay 17, 1929. Serial No. 363,958.

My invention relates to hat cleaning and drying mechanisms of the typeadapted to socalled dry cleaning methods by which the cleaning iseffected by the action of gasoline, naphtha, or the like, asdistinguished from cleaning by the action of soap and water. It is theobject of my invention to provide a new and improved form andarrangement of parts by which the desired cleaning can be effectedquickly and easily with a minimum of care and attention on the part ofthe attendant, by reason of which the wear and tear on the hat beingcleaned shall be reduced to a minimum, and by reason of which thereshall be the maximum of ability to control the cleaning operation so asto insure effective results. y

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide a new arrangement ofparts for the use of a spray of cleaning iuid in connection with meansfor periodically immersing a hat more or less completely in the cleaningiiuid, the arrangement being preferably such that the same means can beemployed for the drying operation.

It is another object of my invention to improve mechanisms of this typein sundry details hereinafter pointed out. The referred means by which Ihave accomplished my several objects are illustrated in the drawings andare hereinafter specifically described. That which I believe to be newand desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the claims.

In the drawings,-

Fig. l is a central vertical section through my improved machine, thelower portion of the supporting frame-work being broken away; and

Fig.-2 is an end view of the rack or cage by which a hat is held inposition for the cleaning operation.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicates a receptacle, shown in the formof a casting made in one or more parts as may be desired, being mountedin the construction shown upon a supporting frame-work 11 of anysuitable type. The receptacle 10 is provided with a transverselyextending partition 12 near its lower end portion serving to provide areservoir for holding a supply of gasoline, naphtha, or other suitablecleaning fluid, the partition 12 being preferably in the form of ahopper with a valve 13 closing a central opening, such valve 13 beingprovided with an operating rod 14 extending outwardly to a suitablehandle 15 by the use of which the valve can be opened for permitting thenaphtha to iow quickly into the lower end of the receptacle.

The receptacle 1() is provided at an intermediate point with a laterallyextending sleeve 16, supported by a bracket 17 for holding a shaft 18strongly in position inthe sleeve. At its outer end, the shaft 18 isprovided with a sprocket wheel 19 which is connected by a sprocket chain20 with a sprocket gear 2l on the shaft 22 of a variable speed motor 23supported by the sleve 16, a suitable shield 24 being provided about thechain 20 and associated parts. i

Upon the inner end of the shaft 18 within the receptacle 10, I havemounted a head 25 which supports a plurality of metal bows 26 inposition to form a cage or rack for supporting a plurality of hats whichare inserted through a reenforcing ring 27 which connects the ends ofthe bows 2G. The arrangement is such that as the cage is rotated bypower applied to the shaft 18 the several bowed bars 26 are carriedsuccessively into and through the supply of naphtha or other cleaningfluid above the partition 12.

At a point in the side wall of the receptacle 10 opposite the ring 27, Ihave provided a glass filled door 28 which can be opened downwardly upona hinge 29 for insertion or removal of the hats.

In the lower end of the receptacle 10 below the partition 12, I haveprovided a rotary pump 30 of any suitable type operated by ahorizontally disposed shaft 31 having its outer end portion connectedwith a motor 32 mounted upon the outer face of the wall of thereceptacle. The pump is provided with an inlet pipe 33 at its lowermostportion and is adapted to force the cleaning fluid upwardly through apipe 34 to a spray head 35 supported by the pipe 34 directly above therotary cage or rac the spray head 35 being through the cage. A

In the construct1on shown, screen devlces 36 and 37 of any suitable typeare provided above the partition 12 and below the pump 30. A plug 38closes a cleanout opening in the lower end of the receptacle. A ventpipe 39 leads upwardly from the lower end of the receptacle.

In the use of my improved mechanism, with the naphtha held in itselevated position above the partition l2 as shown in the drawings, oneor more hats 4() are inserted in the cage or rack through the ring 27.The motor 23 is then started into operation at comparatively low speedso as to dip the hats into and out of the naphtha, the hats beingcarried around by the cage and immersed at intervals more or lesscompletely until thoroughly saturated. The valve 13 is then opened so asto permit the naphtha to pass quickly into the lower end of thereceptacle. The motor 32 is then started into operation, serving toforce the naphtha upwardly through the pipe 34 and out through thedischarge openings in the spray device 35. The pump 30 is such as tocause the naphtha to be discharged from the spray device 35 withconsiderable force so as to cause the naphtha to have a very strongimpact upon the fabric of the hat and to cause the naphtha in most casesto pass through the fabric so as to insure effective contact of thecleaning fluid with every portion of the hat. lVith the motor 23 runningat such speed as to cause the one or more hats in the cage to bechanging in position constantly, and with the spray device 85 deliveringa great number of fine streams of cleaninoF fluid downwardlywithconsiderable force, tlie cleaning effect is very marked.

After the cleaning operation has been carried to the desired point forinsuring effective results, as can be determined by an inspectionthrough the door 28, the motor 32 is to be stopped so as to cause adiscontinuance of the spraying of the cleaning fluid. The motor 23 isthen to he operated at high speed for carrying the hats around veryrapidly within the cage for drying the hats by centrifugal action.

While I prefer to employ the form of device substantially as shown in mydrawings it is to be understood that I do not limit my invention to theform shown except so far as the claims may be so limited by the priorart, it being understood that changes may well be made in theconstruction without departing from my invention.

I claim 1. A hat cleaning means comprising in i combination areceptacle, a rotatable rack in said receptacle adapted to support aplurality of hats, means for rotating the rack, a spray head above saidrack in position to directd a great number of streams of cleaning fluidupon said hats as they are carried around by said rack, means comprisinga valve for closing the receptacle at an intermediate point above itslower end for maintaining effectively a body of cleaning fluid in saidreceptacle below said rack insuch position that a hat carried by therack is dipped into the fluid, and means for taking cleaning fluid fromthe lower end of said receptacle after said valve means has been openedand driving it forcibly through said spray device against a hat on saidrack.

2. A hat cleaning means comprising in combination a receptacle, arotatable rack in said receptacle adapted to support a plurality ofhats, means for rotating the rack, a spray head above said rack inposition to direct al great number of streams of cleaning fluid uponsaid hats as they are carried around by said rack, a downwardly taperedpartition in said receptacle below said rack having an opening throughits lower end, valve means for closing such opening adapted to maintaina supply of cleaning fluid below the rack in such position that a-hatcarried by the rack is di ped therein, and means comprising a pump fortaking cleaning fluid from the receptacle below said partition aftersaid vvalve means has been opened and driving it forcibly through saidspray device against a hat on said rack.

3. rI`he method of cleaning and drying a hat, comprising revolving thehat into and out of a supply of cleaning fluid, directing a plurality ofstreams of cleaning fluid on and through the fabric of th'e hat, thendraining the cleaning fluid away from the path of the rotating hat, andthen rotating the hat at a high speed for driving the cleaning fluidtherefrom.

HARRY GEOCARES.

